So I feel like shit today and need something to do and since I’ve been spending a lot of time listening to music lately, I think I’ll give this a shot. Note: I didn’t use any artist more than once, but I did count solo artists and bands separately. Also this since this is a list of “best albums,” no music written before 1948 will be considered, since that was roundabout the invention of the medium. 1. John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band – John Lennon It is really remarkable that the same year The Beatles released their final album, Let it Be, two of the members released solo records that totally obliterated their final collaborative effort. John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band feels like everything Lennon was building up to with his late-era Beatles songs, Julia, Yer Blues, I’m So Tired, etc. but now he doesn’t have to censor himself for the integrity of the group. Free of The Beatles’ lyrical cage, Lennon could belt out lines like, “you’re all fucking peasants” and “God is a concept.” The theme alternates between the end of The Beatles and mourning for his dead mother. I see it as a raw and unforgiving epilogue to The Beatles discography, building up to: “I don’t believe in Beatles, I just believe in me… The dream is over.” Incredible. 2. The White Album – The Beatles Honestly, this and number one alternate on a daily basis but today I prefer Lennon’s raw focused album to the Beatles magnum opus. Regardless, this is an incredible album that offers a little of everything. If you’re looking for the hits, this album is not for you. Very few of the songs are ever played on the radio. It’s not concise, it’s not perfect, it’s unpolished, it’s overlong, and it’s occasionally not much fun to listen to but it’s on this list because it’s a buffet of everything The Beatles had to offer music, with perfect sequencing and four unique voices. Not to mention this is one of only two albums all four of them contributed songs for. Take your pick: Social Commentary? Back In The USSR, Piggies, Revolution 1. Hard Rock/Metal? While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Happiness Is A Warm Gun, Yer Blues, Helter Skelter. Blues? Why Don’t We Do It In The Road? Yer Blues. Country/Folk? The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill, Rocky Raccoon, Don’t Pass Me By, Julia, Music Hall/Classical? Honey Pie, Good Night. Psychedelic? Glass Onion, Cry Baby Cry. Avant Garde? Wild Honey Pie, Revolution 9. 3. Mingus Ah Um - Charles Mingus Bob Dylan got all the press, but in 1959 Charlie Mingus put out what has to be one of the most biting and musically complex political protest albums of all time, and with very few lyrics. Mingus knew how to use his rumbling bass to guide the band through each several powerful, political messages, without using lyrics as a crutch. Although Mingus would re-release the album’s most famous piece, Fables of Faubus, an attack on pro-segregationist Orval Faubus, with lyrics a year later. Mingus Ah Um is one of the most powerful and complex Jazz albums ever released, occasionally abandoning meter, pitch, and dissolving in the complete chaos, this precursor to free jazz is just as revolutionary as it is beautiful. 4. The Wall – Pink Floyd Well everyone knows The Wall. Despite lacking Pink Floyd's signature long instrumental interludes and moody ambient sounds, this is my personal favorite or their body of work. It takes inspiration from The Beatles White Album in everything from album cover to the genre switching tracks, while maintaining a consistent theme. Though I have yet to see the film, the albums holds up on its own, with recurring themes, both musically and lyrically, all building up to the climax. The Wall is possibly the greatest concept album of all time. 5. Bitches Brew – Miles Davis Easily the most musically complex album on the list, Miles Davis went full on experimental with this record. The total runtime is 94 minutes though the album only contains six different tracks, because he lets the music breathe and move unrestricted, even venturing into the Avant garde at times. Each note is unexpected and harsh, with some help from electronic enhancement. This is not passive listening but it makes for one hell of an incredible experience. 6. All Things Must Pass – George Harrison In 1970, George Harrison, after being somewhat marginalized by The Beatles, was finally able to show his talent in a solo effort that was so excellent, it rivaled John Lennon’s acclaimed record. The albums themselves however, couldn’t be more different. While Lennon took from more from the gritty, self-hating blues, Harrison adopted the more Folky, Americana sound of Bob Dylan and The Band, both of whom contributed to the album. Just looking at the album cover, which Lennon publicly ridiculed, you can almost hear the music. It is warm, confident, spiritual, unique, and perhaps most importantly, revealed Harrison’s undeniable musical genius in a way The Beatles never did. 7. Led Zeppelin II – Led Zeppelin In 1968, Led Zeppelin released their debut album, a fantastic hybrid of folk, blues, and metal that left everyone’s ears ringing. What no one expected was that their next album, released later that same year, was going to be heavier, blues-ier and even better. While IV has ‘Stairway’ and a collection of undeniable greats, the end product of hard folk doesn’t hit me as hard as this album’s metal-blues. This is Zeppelin’s most confident and focused work. From their opening, free-jazz inspired, track: Whole Lotta Love, credit to the aforementioned Mingus, to their closing: heavy metal drum solo meets growling harmonica blues, Moby Dick/Bring It on Home, this album is a treat for the ears. 8. Pet Sounds – The Beach Boys It always bugs me when people give Sgt. Pepper credit for what The Beach Boys did first. Pepper was a great album, but it’s no Pet Sounds. Brian Wilson is an undeniable genius, and he created what has to be the first great concept album. Wilson broke convention with instrumental tracks on a rock album, and sounds of animals taking the place of instruments, a technique harkening back to Original Dixieland Jazz Band’s Livery Stable Blues. People always point to ‘God Only Knows’ but this album doesn’t have a bad track, and The Beach Boy’s signature harmonies are as beautiful as ever. 9. The Doors – The Doors 1967 and 1968 are, for my money, the two greatest years for music in the 20th Century. This debut album was released the same year as Sgt. Pepper and The Velvet Underground & Nico and yet it still managed to standout as a magnificent achievement, as well is being possibly the greatest debut album of all time. The Doors managed to be dry, cynical, and energetic all at the same time. They also popularized the release of ten-minute jams that build in a way that had only been utilized in other genres. The album was fearless and controversial, and has one of the greatest closers of all time in the 11 minute “The End,” which is used to great effect in Coppola’s ‘Apocalypse Now!’ 10. London Calling – The Clash Bearing one of the greatest album covers of all time The Clash’s apocalyptic, punk rock attack of late 1970’s society is truly brilliant. The title track sets the mood by describing an apocalyptic England, and serving as a cautionary piece on society. Jimmy Jazz, misleading with its laidback sound, plays like a Jazz standard from Hell. I love that track. It’s a great record. 11. The Velvet Underground & Nico – The Velvet Underground 12. The Basement Tapes – The Band & Bob Dylan 13. Lola vs Powerman and Moneygoround, Part One – The Kinks 14. There Will Be Blood – Johnny Greenwood 15. Doolittle – The Pixies 16. American IV: The Man Comes Around – Johnny Cash 17. If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears – The Mamas & the Papas 18. American Beauty – The Grateful Dead 19. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy – Kanye West 20. Sound & Color – Alabama Shakes (Not really, but I’m putting on here because they’re going to be huge.) Anyway, I might come back and add descriptions for the remaining ten at some point but that’s what I got for now. I feel a little better.
